I grew up in Indiana with an interest in art and the outdoors. I received my first 35mm camera from my parents when I graduation from Purdue University. I lived for three years in Ethiopia while serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer on a reforestation project
After a brief time with Indiana Fish and Wildlife, I went to work for the Quinault Indian Nation (QIN) on the Olympic Peninsula. I helped lay down the roots for a forestry program and produced publications related to natural resources. I currently managed the QIN Centralized Communications Program.
I enjoy photography, hiking, and the natural sciences.

And all our Moms and maybe us used Pyrex bowls. We all have used fiberglass in one form or another. Then came optic fiber lamps. The 3 primary borates mined at the Billie were Ulexite, Colemanite and Probertite. Not being a chemist or a geologist there may have been other Borate minerals mined but the three I have mentioned were the ones we miners wanted to mine. The "cotton ball" formations of Ulexite were highly prized. Everything was kept wet as to avoid making dust because the particles that the dust was made of were like shards of fiberglass that did serious damage to lungs.

I worked here in the early 80's. Herb Paisler hired me and my brother in law. Dale Bess was my last Supervisor. I wound up doing back support, cribbing and rock bolts, hanging air, water and electric lines and ventilation. I had a shit load of "close calls" and two serious injuries. I loved the job. I was young and bullet proof and as I recall the money was decent as we were Teamsters. All in all it was a good time shared with a lot of good people. As life is I got hired by Clark County and moved on but I often think of the mine as my wife is named Billie. Well thats my version of the "Billie Mine" story. Peace to you all.